European-style hot chocolate means melting shavings, beads or disks of actual chocolate and adding boiling water or milk. That’s what you do with Recchiuti Dark Hot Chocolate Pure Chocolate Pistoles, one of the favorites you’ll read about.

Hot Cocoa Brands D To G

Dean’s Beans Hot Cocoa Mix (Organic and Fair Trade). A medium milky-brown beverage with a faintly chocolate aroma. Very mild cocoa flavor with a nicely restrained use of sweetness. Powder was harder to dissolve than some others; texture of finished beverage was a little gritty, and there was some undissolved powder at the bottom of the mug. No instructions on package, but nutrition information based on use of 1 cup skim milk and a 2 tablespoon serving of mix, so those proportions were used. First ingredient: organic sugar. Entire ingredient list: organic sugar, organic cocoa, organic nonfat dry milk. Sodium content: 30 mg/serving. Price: $4.50 for 12 ounces. Read our review of Dean’s Beans organic coffee.

Dorado Chocolates Hot Cocoa Mix. Strictly speaking, this “mix” consists of chocolate-covered marshmallows, but without federal standards for this product, why can’t it be a hot cocoa mix? The instructions recommend dropping a marshmallow or two into a mug of hot milk (I like two to three of these marshmallows in six ounces of hot milk). The marshmallows are somewhat tough at room temperature, but they’re delightful in the hot milk as they and their semisweet chocolate coating melt unevenly. If you like to play with your food, this “mix” is the way to go. A favorite. No ingredients or sodium content listed. Price: $13.95.

Equal Exchange Fair Trade Hot Cocoa (Organic). A medium to dark brown beverage with almost no aroma and a very light flavor. There was a very faint taste of chocolate, but nothing else—but also, this is not a sugary drink. When made with milk, instead of the suggested water, it was vastly improved. People who like light flavors may enjoy it. First ingredient: organic evaporated cane juice. Entire ingredient list: organic evaporated cane juice, organic nonfat dry milk powder, organic cocoa powder, naturally derived cellulose gum, salt, natural vanilla powder. Certified kosher by COR. Sodium content: 60 mg/serving. Price: $6 for 12 ounces.